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Taxi Licences

Online Services

• lost property left in taxi
• hackney/private hire drivers licence
• private hire vehicle licence
• private hire operators licence

Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licences

Licences are issued after applicants have met certain standards and these must continue to be met if they wish to remain licensed.

Unlicensed operators, vehicles and drivers are trading illegally and passengers may not be insured.

Difference between a Hackney Carriage and a Private Hire vehicle

Hackney Carriage (Taxi):

A vehicle that is available for immediate hire.
In Poole they are either London-style taxis or saloon cars and have:

• A large roof sign saying "Poole Taxi"
• Stickers with a Borough of Poole logo and "Licensed Taxi" on the front doors.
• A plate attached to the rear showing the Hackney Carriage licence number, vehicle registration mark and the seating capacity

Private Hire:

These vehicles provide a similar service to taxis, but can only ever be pre-booked through an operator. Private Hire vehicles in Poole have:

• A plate attached to the rear showing the Private Hire licence number, vehicle registration mark and the seating capacity
• Some vehicles may have the telephone number and name of the operator displayed either on the windscreen, back window or on the rear doors.

How to get a licence

Licences are issued to:

• Private Hire Operators
• Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire vehicle drivers.
• Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire vehicles

The only exception to this licensing requirement is vehicles used for weddings or funerals.

Applications must be returned to the Taxi Licensing officer:

Post:

Borough of Poole
Transportation Services
St Johns House
Serpentine Road
Poole
BH15 2DX

Telephone: (01202) 262242
Fax: (01202) 262091

Fare Tariffs and Other Charges

We only set Fare Tariffs and Other Charges for Hackney Carriages (taxis), but most Private Hire vehicles in Poole are also fitted with a taximeter and charge the same rates.

The taximeter displays the maximum charge payable but drivers are allowed to charge less than the taximeter rate.

Complaints and Lost Property

If you have a complaint or have left some property in a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire vehicle you can contact the operator direct or contact the Taxi Licensing Officer.

Give the details (if known) of the drivers badge number, vehicle plate number or registration number to help trace the driver and vehicle.

Taxi Ranks

There are two principal taxi ranks in the Borough.

Shoppers visiting the Dolphin Shopping Centre will find taxis available at 'The George' taxi rank. In addition there is a further 24 hour taxi rank at Poole railway station.

Customers enjoying Poole's night life may also use the evening taxi ranks in Lower High Street (by the Hogs Head public house) and on the Quay.

Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Operators

Executive and Airport Travel Private Hire Operators